Obituary of Peter J. Raia, Sr.

RAIA, Peter J., Sr., of Wyckoff, NJ, died on May 4, 2016. He was born in New York City on February 2, 1936, and has lived in Bergen County for many years. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy at St. John's University. As the owner of Gallo's Drug Store, in Rochelle Park, and Gallo's Pharmacy, in Mahwah, Peter dedicated his life to keeping the community healthy. He was the founder and first president of the Phoenix Pharmacy Group, a national purchasing cooperative for independently owned pharmacies. Peter is survived by his wife of 58 years, Emily Vinicombe, and 4 children: Peter, Jr. and his wife Joyce; Michael and his wife Judy; Joseph, and his wife, Jackie; and Nancy Santomauro. He leaves 9 grandchildren: Peter, Casey, Matthew, Gabriela, Kyler, Alessandra, Nicholas, Michael and Giuliana. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Lou and brother, Joseph and his wife, Ruth. He was predeceased by his parents, Acursio and Josephine. Peter was an avid Yankee fan and loved watching his children and grandchildren play sports. He was a big fan of ice cream, donuts and gardening. It was the small things in life that gave him his greatest pleasures. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Peter's memory to St. Jude Tribute Program, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 and the Multiple Sclerosis National Society, Bergen-Passaic Chapter, 718 Teaneck Road, Teaneck, NJ 07666. The family will receive friends at their Wyckoff residence on Sunday, May 15, from 2:00-6:00pm.